Clippers, Suns meet for second time in 2006-07 season

This is the second time these teams have met in the 2006-07 campaign. On Wednesday, Shawn Marion poured in 27 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead Phoenix to a 112-104 triumph over the Clippers at US Airways Center. The game marked a rematch from last year’s playoffs when the Suns beat the Clippers in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Clippers play the second of a five-game homestand. On Thursday, veteran guard Sam Cassell scored 35 points and hit the winning free throws with 12 seconds left, as the Clippers beat the Denver Nuggets, 96-95, at the Staples Center.

Tim Thomas poured in 21 points in the win over Denver for the Clippers, while Corey Maggette came off the bench and netted 13.

The Clippers will also host Portland, Dallas and New Orleans/Oklahoma City on the current stand,

Phoenix tries to rebound from a tough loss as it plays the first of a brief two-game road trip. On Friday, Carlos Boozer led the way for Utah with 21 points and 12 rebounds. and his dunk with 31 seconds gave the Jazz the lead for good as they held off the Suns, 108-104, at US Airways Center.

Leandro Barbosa posted 22 points on 11-of-12 shooting in the loss, while Steve Nash scored 17 points and handed out 10 assists for the Suns. Shawn Marion contributed 19 points and eight rebounds and Kurt Thomas scored 11 in defeat.

The Suns, who will visit Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday at the AT&T Center, are 0-1 as the visitor this season. They lost to the Lakers, 114-106, at the Staples Center in their season opener.

The Clippers and Phoenix split four games last season. The Suns has won four of their last five at the Clippers.